I banged the heck out of my rear wheel at some point. The wheel seems ok, but the true of the wheel has seen better days. It kinda looked like a silver record left a bit too long in the back seat of your parents station wagon.

Stopped in at HC and the guys could not have been more helpful. If everywhere I had to be in life was as relaxed and knowledgeable as that place, I would go more places.

Jim said it looked like I had lost some weight. Sure, you're thinking, smooth sales mans ploy. But I have dropped several pounds and proceeded to bore them with the details. And not once did I detect the hard to pull off 'yawn with your mouth closed cause we are polite but please God strike me down now if this goes on much longer' reaction that normally greets me when I start to talk.

I have developed a strange rhythmic click when I pedal up hills. Not sure what is causing it. I find these little mechanical problems to be irritating, and also a great chance to learn about how to fix a bike. I started my bike repair skills backwards. Learned how to build a wheel before I could do much of anything else. My goal then is to get to the point where I can handle the more basic things like putting air in my tires in the next several years.

Today could be interesting. My boss has been kind enough to invite me golfing.

Golf is a wonderful sport. I love the game. I just am really really bad at it. There has only been a short period of time when I was ok at it, and that was 40 years ago. But golf is a sport with a ton of personal history attached to it, and for me, that is part of the draw today.

My dad played most saturdays, my mom spent hours walking the course when my brother and I were too young to be out alone, and my brother and I would play several rounds a year together. It's not that we were great at it although my brother could hit the ball an amazingly long way and had a great putting touch.

In the past the game was a common point, something shared between us. Now it's a sort of memorial to my family. Maybe it's more accurate to say, it's a way to feel those people again.
Not a day goes by that I don't miss them, but when I golf, even when I'm not thinking about them it's like I am bonding with them again.

And I am the last golfer left. My sister in the s.w. has health issues that prevent her from ever playing again, my other sister never took the game up. The ghosts that I carry out there don't weight anything at all but are a very friendly and comforting set of partners.

Work is busy. Big sale this weekend and several people have left, so a lot of hours look to be in my future. The best biking weather of the year this weekend. Roll smoothly, you crazy 3 speed bastards. Hope the traditional toga party/orgy/revival meeting is a huge success.

I ruined a Brooks saddle, and have switched to a white sella italia. It's actually comfortable. I can ride it with out a padded ass, beyond the natural padding that i carry, which is substantial.

I picked up a new set of golf clubs. Had them delivered to work, to avoid the whole wife pondering the wiseness of that purchase. I bungie corded then to my rack. they hung off the back a far bit, so I put a red rag on the back to warn people of the long load. I got the strangest looks.

I was doing some research for a guy at work about tires, and found out that I have been under inflating my own tires by 35lbs. or so. Why to tire makers make this so hard to read on the tire? I looked at my tire and even knowing the recommended pressure, I couldn't read it on the side wall.

I bought some Chicagowig knickers. Very comfortable to ride in. A few to many pockets for me personally, but nice construction and a double layer of fabric on the seat, so the should last a while.

Ride to work week is coming up. I hope this event actually gets some new people riding as opposed to simple congratulating those who already do ride to work.

Day off today. Plans include a Dr. appt, some bike riding, some weeding and some paver work. I kind of enjoy weeding. it's just so dull, that you can get into a rhythm about it, and when you are done with it, you have actually gotten something good done. Not important, but something that will yield results down the road. At least, thats what I tell myself.

Need to look into a mulch delivery too. I am Mr. Excitement.